Bombay High Court Directs Coast Guard and State to Respond to Petitions Over Seized Vessels
The Bombay High Court has issued a directive requiring the Indian Coast Guard and the state government to submit their replies to petitions filed by the owners of three vessels that were seized in February on allegations of illegal activities. The court's order came during a hearing on Tuesday, where Justices Ravindra Ghuge and Abhay Mantri presided over the case.
Petitioners Seek Immediate Release of Vessels
The petitions were lodged by Balboa Shipping, Star Management Shipping, and Royal Princess Shipping, urging the court to order the Coast Guard to promptly release the vessels and grant sailing permission. The legal action stems from an incident on February 15, when the Yellow Gate police registered a First Information Report (FIR) based on a complaint from the Coast Guard, leading to the arrest of three sailors.
Coast Guard Alleges Suspicious Activities and Spoofing
During the proceedings, Coast Guard advocate Jitendra Mishra presented arguments highlighting concerning behaviors observed in the vessels. Mishra stated that the Coast Guard noticed certain acts and movements "which, prima facie, indicate an alignment with a neighbouring state." Specifically, one vessel was detected near Pakistan's exclusive economic zone on January 20 and 21.
Mishra further informed the court that the automatic identification systems of all three vessels were switched off at various times and locations, a practice known as spoofing. The Coast Guard managed to track their actual locations using very high frequency radio, revealing that the information transmitted by the vessels "was of a location different from the actual location near Pakistan."
Survey Report Reveals Fake Documentation
The judges took into account a survey report dated February 27 from the Director General of Shipping, which disclosed that the registration of two vessels and the insurance of all three were fraudulent. Additionally, one vessel was found to be flying a fake national flag. In response, the advocates representing the petitioners denied these allegations, indicating they would seek further instructions and provide a formal reply.
Court Grants Interim Relief and Schedules Next Hearing
Pending the next hearing scheduled for April 6, the court has granted the petitioners permission to purchase essential supplies such as food, water, fuel, and medicines from their regular suppliers. This allowance is subject to existing security measures to ensure compliance with safety protocols. The case continues to unfold as both sides prepare their arguments for the upcoming session.
